First day of school for some Chicago Public Schools students

August 8, 2011

Students at some Chicago Public Schools are heading back to class Monday.

It's the first day of school for Track E students. Those are students who are on a year-round schedule. They have the same number of school days as those on a regular schedule, but the vacation days are spread out. The majority of Chicago Public School students start next month.

Meantime, some religious leaders are planning a rally Monday calling for longer school days for Chicago students. The mayor and the new head of Chicago Public Schools have also called for longer school days for teachers and students. The district is facing a $700 million budget deficit and has proposed raising property taxes in the city.